Hydraulic torque converter



A. G. SCHNEIDER 3,014,430

HYDRAULIC TORQUE CONVERTER Dec. 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 19,1958 /Nl/ENTOR A' 6 SUL/WEIDER De- 26, 1951 A. G. SCHNEIDER HYDRAULICTORQUE CONVERTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 19, 1958 /Nl/ENTOR Af 6.SEMA/EMU? @y u l ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 1961 A. G. SCHNEIDER HYDRAULIC ToRQUECONVERTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 19, 1958 F/G. Z

FWS. 8.

/N VEN TOR AMM e; HwHM/e q B1 United States Patent O r' 3,014,430HYDRAULIC TORQUE CONVERTER Adolf G. Schneider, Muncie, Ind., assigner toSchneider Brothers Company, Muncie, Ind., a eopartnership Filed May 19,1958, Ser. No. 736,114 6 Claims. (Cl. 1013-97) This invention relates totorque converters of the turbine type having bladed elements defining aclosed fluid circuit, and comprising at least a pump element, a turbineelement and a reaction element.

The principal object of the invention is yto provide an improvedhydraulic torque converter construction whereby an increase in the rangeof highly eicient operation is obtained by reduction of shock andturbulence losses at the entrance portions of the blades, this objectbeing attained as follows:

(1) By providing a hydraulic torque converter element 'or elementshaving variable inlet blade angles in the range of operation.

(2) By providing for -an automatic change of the inlet angles to conformto the instantaneous angle of fluid liow during torque multiplication.

(3) By providing primary and secondary blades that include flexible andresilient leaf spring flap portions which provide different inlet anglesfor lower speed ratios and higher speed ratios.

(4) By providing primary and secondary blades, the former having' theaforementioned flexible and resilient leaf spring flap portions attachedthereto whichl when engaged with the secondary blades, serve to define acontinuous streamline on the pressure side of both blades.

(5) By providing primary and secondary blades, the former having theaforementioned flexible and resilient sheet metal flap portions attachedthereto pressed toward engagement with'the secondary blades to define acontinuous streamline on the pressure side of the two blades at anefficient angle for lower speed ratios, these flap portions disengagingfrom the secondary blades more or less at higher speeds to conform tothe different fluid angles, giving automatically a change in the inletangles for the secondary blades, and consequently less shock losses athigher speed ratios.

I amA aware that others have provided movable ele-y ments designed toshift so as to provide variable inlet angles under the inliuence ofchanging fluid flow condivon a larger scale;

FIGS. 2 and 2a, which are taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. l, show theprimary and secondary blades with the flexible resilient leaf springilap portion on the primary blade engaging the secondary blade toprovide a continuous streamline on the pressure side of the two blades,-as for low speed operation;

FIGS. 3 and 3a are similar views showing the flap portion in distended-relationship to the secondary blade for a different inlet angle B asfor higher speed operation, making the primary and secondary bladessubstantially completely independent; Y

FIG. 4 `is another axial section along the lines of ice FIG. l butshowing primary and secondary blades with tiexible resilient leaf springap portions on the pump, turbine, and reactor elements;

FIG. 5 is a more or less diagrammatic sectional view of the three setsof blades showing the form thereof along the middle streamline, asindicated by the dot and dash section line in FIG. 4, the blades beingall cast to a streamlined form in crosssecti0n, the entering end of eachof the three elements having the flap portion shown in full lines in thelow speed position and in dotted lines in a higher speed position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing blades of formed sheetmetal construction instead of castings;

FIGS. 5a and 6a are related to FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, but show apump blade with different inlet and outlet angles;

FIG. 7 is a section of another formed sheet metal blade having a largeropening in the entrance portion of the blade to permit a greater anglevariation in iiuid flow at the entrance, this blade having the openingdivided and having a separate ap for each portion of the opening;

' FIG. 8 is a face view of the blade of FIG. 7 without the aps and laidiiat;

FIG. 9 is a View similar to FIG. 7 showing another blade with aplurality of window openings stamped through the entranceportion leavingvery narrow ribs to provide abutment for the iiap arranged to cover saidopenings, and

FIG. 10 is a face view of the blade of FIG. 9 without the ap and theblade laid fiat.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughoutthe views,

Referring to the drawings, and first to FIGS. l to 3a, the referencenumeral '7 designates a Fttinger type hydraulic torque converter, thepump impeller element 8 of which is marked P for identication, andis'connected to the iiywheel 9, as indicated at 10. Flywheel 9 turnswith the driving shaft 11. 12 is the reaction element, marked R foridentification, and 13 is the turbine wheel element of the torqueconverter, marked T for identification. At 14 is indicated a freewheeling or over-running clutch through which the reaction element 12 isconnected to a sleeve 1S that is carried by the stationary back wall 16of a housing (not shown) enclosing the torque converter 7. The drivenshaft 17 operates in the sleeve 15 as a bearing, and is keyed to theturbine wheel element 13, as indicated at 18.

Thel direction of flow of the liquid from the pump element P through theturbine element T and thence through the reaction'element R is indicatedby the arrows, and in accordance with my invention, I provide at leastthe reaction element R of an improved construction to increase the rangeof highly efficient operation by reducing vshock and turbulence lossesat the entrance of the blades of said reaction element, as shown inFIGS. 2-3a. The reaction element R has the body portion of each of itsblades cast in the form of a primary blade or vane 19 and a secondaryblade or vane 20, both of streamlined crosslsection, as shown, theprimary blade or vane having'its small tapered trailing end in spacedrelation tothe large rounded entering end of the secondary blade or vaneso as to define a-channel or passage 21 of relatively unrestricted formtherebetween,

' and said primary blade or vane carrying a relatively thin,

flexible, resilient leaf spring iiap 23 which acts as an automatic valvethat is closed by engagement with the front or pressure side of thesecondary blade or Vane, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2a, at low turbinespeed, but is arranged to be forced open more or less by the pressure ofuid flowing through the channel or passage 2l at higher turbine speed,as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3a. In this way, different inlet angles ofthe blades are provided for lower speed ratios and higher speed ratios,the inlet angle changing automatically to conform to the angle of thetluid flow during torque multiplication. In the closed position the flap23 cooperates with the primary and secondary blades forming a continuousstreamline on the front or pressure side of the two blades, as `clearlyappears in FIGS. 2 and 2a. If desired, the trailing edge portion of theilap 23 could be tapered to eliminate the slight shoulder delined bythis edge portion, bu-t the thinness of the metal used, makes thatprecaution unnecessary for most applications. The attaching end portion24 of the ap 23 is suitably looped around and secured to the primaryblade or vane 19 to form the streamlined exterior thereof. The compositethree-portion blade structure therefore is of streamline form in boththe open and closed positions of the flap 23 for minimum shock lossunder all operating conditions.

With the improved blade construction in the reaction element Rillustrated in FIGS. 2-3a, the efciency of operation is greatly improvedas a result of the reduction in shock and turbulence losses at theentrance of the blades in the reaction element R, diierent inlet anglesfor different speed ratios being obtained, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3a, byvirtue of the ap portions Z3 on the blades, the flexible, resilient leafspring flap portionsv 23 forming a continuous streamline on the pressureside of the primary and secondary blades 19 and 20 in the position ofsaid flap portions for, low speed drive, during which operation theentrance angle, as indicated at A in FIGS. 2 and 2a, is most efficientfor lower speed ratios. These ap portions disengage from blade 20 athigher speed ratios, opening channel 21, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a,giving automaticallya change in the inlet angle of the blade to theangle of fluid ow, as indicated at B in FIGS. 3 and 3a, resulting inless shocklosses under higher speed operating conditions.

Referring next to FIGS; 4v and 5, the ap portions 23 on the body portionof the blades of theV reaction element R1 are the same as in FIGS. 1 and2.-3a, and accordingly the primary and secondary blade portions arenumbered 19 and 20, respectively, the same as in the other iigures, andlikewise the intermediate opening or passage 21. Similar flap portions23a and 23b are provided on the entrance portions of the body portion ofthe blades of the pump element P1 and turbine wheel element T1,respectively. The body portionof each blade of the pump element P1includes a primary blade 19a and secondary blade 20a with anintermediate opening or passage 21a. The body portion of each blade inthe turbine wheel element T1 includes a primary blade portion 19b and asecondary blade portion 20b with an intermediate throat or passage 2lb.In FIG. 5 the aps 23, 23a4 and 23b are shown in full lines in the closedposition for low speed operation, and in dotted lines in an openposition for higher speed operation, the extent of opening, of course,depending upon the increase in speed of operation, so that the Iluidentrance angle at low speed is as represented by the arrows A, and for ahigher speed by the arrows B. It goes without saying that if all threeelements, R1, P1 and T1 of the torque converter have the blades thereofconstructed, as shown in FIG. 5, with primary and secondary bladeportions of streamlined cross-section with throats or passagestherebetween, and have flap portions on the pressure sides of the bladesclosing the throats under fluid pressure to define in effect a singlepiece blade of streamlined cross-section in each case, most eicientoperation is obtainable by reason of the reduction in shock andturbulence losses, especially since the tlap portions upon opening inaccordance with the changes in the angles of fluid ow as the speed ofoperation changes permit fluid ow between the primary and secondaryblade portions of each element in accordance with the 4 change of angleof fluid ow as the speed of operation changes.

While I have shown cast blade constructions in FIGS. l through 5, itshould, of course, be understood that the invention is not limited inits application to such constructions and accordingly, as shown in FIG.6, the flaps 23C, 23d and 23e, all of which are shown in full lines inthe closed position for slow speed operation A and dotted lines in openposition for higher speed operation B, are shown as mounted on blades 8,12 and 13, the body portion of each of which is of formed sheet metal.Of course, the departure from streamlined cross-section means asacrifice in the eiciency of operation as compared with constructionsshown in the other figures previously described, but a torque convertermade along these lines still represents a considerable improvement overearlier designs by virtue of the flaps 23C, 23d and 23e providingvariable inlet blade angles, the flaps in closed position on thepressure side of the primary blade portions a and secondary bladeportions b of blades 8, 12 and 13 forming a continuous streamline on thepressure side duringlow speed operation, as shown in full lines in FIG.6, but shifting their positions at higher speed ratios according to thechange in uid angles to allow fluid flow through the openings 21"between the primary and secondary blade portions a and b, with resultingreduced shock losses at higher` speed ratios, similarly as with theother constructions previously described. The ap portions 23C, 23d and23e-are all shown as having an attaching end portion looped around andsuitably secured to the primary blade portions a of blades 8", 12 and 13as by riveting, welding or bending.

FIGS. 5a and 6a show sections of blades 8a and 8b for pump elementsA P3and P4, respectively, the body portion of each of which has oppositecurvature in relation to blades 8 and 8" shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 so thatthe aps 23f and 23g are closed in relation to the openings 21e definedbetween the primary and secondary blade portions a and b, respectively,on the pressure side 0f the blades for high speed operation, asindicated by arrows B, the flaps 23f and 23g being, however, arranged toopen under lower speed operating conditions more or less according tothe different tluid angles, one of which is indicated by the arrowsv Ain FIGS. 5a and 6a with resultant decreased shock losses at lower speedratios. In other words, my invention is shown to beapplicable just aswell to torque converters designed for the highest eciencyof operationat lower speed ratios.

Referring next to FIGS. 7 and 8, I have shown a blade 12a for a reactionelement R3, the blade having the body portion thereof stamped from asingle piece of sheet metal with two parallel openings 21d 'and 21epunched in the entrance portion in parallel relation leaving narrow webs25 and 26 in parallel relationship on which aps 23h and 231' aremounted, as indicated at 27 in FIG. 7, normally spring pressed towardclosed position in abutment with the pressure side of the blade closingthe openings 21d and 21e during low speed operation when the uid entersat the angle A. At a higher speed when the uid enters at the angle B1 ap23h will open but ilap 23i will remain closed. At a still higher speedof operation when the tiuid is at the angle B2 the other flap 231' willalso open. It is, therefore, apparent that with this construction I amenabled to provide a large gap between the blade sections permitting agreater angle variation at the entrance without too much ilexing of theilap portions 23h and 23i that might ultimately result in permanentdeformation thereof. In FIG. 8 the dot and dash lines at 28 indicate theinner and outer torus of the torque converter wheel, the marginal edgeportions 29 of the blades being cast, welded' or riveted to theseportions of the wheels to complete the wheels with their bladings.

Referring next to FIGS. 9 and 10, the blade 12b for the reaction elementR4 is similar to the blade 12a but has three rows of window openings 2U,21g and 21h punched in the entrance portion of the body thereof withnarrow ribs 30 left therebetween to provide supporting abutments for theflap 23]' which is normally springpressed toward engagement with thepressure side of the blade covering these window openings-and remains inthat position during low speed operation when the entrance angle is asindicated at A. At a higher speed, when the entrance angle of the fluidis as indicated at B, the ap 23]' opens more or less, depending upon thespeed of operation and the angle of entering uid ow. The larger gapwhich these window openings afford between the blade sections permits agreater angle variation at the entrance without deformation of the apportion. Here again, the dot and dash lines 28 and the marginal portions29 have the same significance as in FIG. 8.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding ofthe objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims havebeen drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In a uid transmission, a blade having a curved entrance portion and arelatively straight exit portion in trailing relationship thereto, thecurved entrance portion having a channel provided therein opening to thefront or pressure side of the eXit portion, and a curved spring flapmeans rigidly mounted by its one end on the entrance portion of saidblade and extending inwardly in the direction of uid ow relative to theblade to guide the fluid under different operating conditions iiowing atdilterent angles relative' to said blade, said ap means being normallyspring-pressed to closed position with respect to said channel intoabutment with said exit portion of the blade on the front or pressureside thereof 4but being yieldable under pressure of the uid flowingrelative to said blade to open said channel more or less depending uponthe Y direction of flow of said uid relative to said blade and flapmeans.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the channel in theentrance portion of the blade is between a primary blade portion -on theentrance portion and a secondary blade portion in trailing relation tothe primary blade portion on the exit portion, the flap means beingcarried on the primary blade portion and arranged to en-V gage the frontor pressure side of the secondary blade portion.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein the primary bladeportion and secondary blade portion are both of streamlinedcross-section.

4. In a fluid transmission, a blade having a curved entrance portion anda relatively straight exit portion in trailing relationship thereto, thecurved entrance Aportion having parallel channels provided thereintransversely thereof in longitudinally spaced relation opening to thefront or pressure side of the exit portion, and curved spring flaps, onefor covering the front or exit end of each of said channels, eachrigidly mounted by its one end on the curved entrance portion andextending toward the exit portion to guide the iiuid flowing differentlyrelative to said blade under different operating conditions, said flapsbeing normally spring-pressed to closed position but being yieldableunder pressure of iiuid to open said channels more or less dependingupon the direction of the fluid ow relative to the blade and flaps.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein the free end of a Hapoverlaps the leading or attached end of the next flap in trailingrelationship to the first mentioned flap.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 4, including narrow rib portions inspaced parallel relationship extending longitudinally of the entranceportion of the blade dividing the channels into rows of window openingsof substantially uniform size, the ribs furnishing support for the apsand reducing deformation of said aps under pressure of the fluidthereon.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,222,618 Iandasek Nov. 26, 1940 2,271,919 Iandasek Peb. 3, 19422,351,516 Jandasek June 13, 1944 2,406,499 Jandasek Aug. 27, 19462,440,825 Jandasek May 4, 1948 2,627,724 Seybold Feb. 10, 1953

